It's official: #moths deserve just as much attention as #butterflies! π¦We chat to Dr Richard Fox, head of science @savebutterflies.bsky.social about #moths, the 2025 #BigButterflyCount & how #gardeners can better support them πhttps://tinyurl.com/Organic-Gardening-Podcast #OrganicGardeningPodcast
the UK's "sunniest spring & hottest summer ever may have benefitted some #butterflies after 2024βs record-breaking lows. However, results of the #BigButterflyCount show that it wasn't a bumper summer for our beleaguered butterflies"
the ups & downs chart π¦ butterfly-conservation.org/big-butterfl...
A line graph illustrating the average number of butterflies per count in Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count from 2016 - 2025. The graph shows years on the y-axis and the average number of butterflies on a scale of 0-20 on the x-axis. A dotted vertical line places the 10-year average at around 11 butterflies per count.
On average, #BigButterflyCount participants recorded 10.3 butterflies per 15-minute count π¦
While a marked improvement on 2024βs record low of 7.2, it is only broadly average by modern standards, and has done little to reverse longer-term declines.
π butterfly-conservation.org/big-butterfl...
βWe may feel like weβve seen lots of butterflies this summer, but thatβs only because last year was so awful." - Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation.
More about the results, and why they matter, here
#BigButterflyCount #butterflies #moths #insects
Common Blue butterfly resting on heather against a dark pink background. Text overlay reads 'the results are in' with Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count logo. Photo credit Matt Berry
The #BigButterflyCount results are in and it's official...
2025 was an average year for butterflies.
See the full results and what can be done to help butterflies and moths π
butterfly-conservation.org/big-butterfly-count-resu...
The #BigButterflyCount results are in π¦ unfortunately, butterflies have failed to shine despite the hottest UK summer on record - find out more and help support @savebutterflies.bsky.social
My last #BigButterflyCount for 2025 at Upton Marshes yesterday only yielded 4 species including Green-veined White & Brimstone. What did you see on your last count?
How was your #BigButterflyCount? Great sunny weather recently's helped (last year our Count was Zero!). Storm Floris provided an interesting challenge. This beautiful Comma was gripping on tight in the high wind. Itβs the only non-blurry photo we could get!ππ¦π» @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A Holly Blue butterfly looking inquisitively at the camera from its leafy perch
The bad news: #BigButterflyCount is over for another year π
The good news: You can still submit the results of any counts done between 18 July - 10 August until the end of this month! π
Submit any pending counts at π buff.ly/aQjHidK
π·: Brian Valentine
Took part in the #BigButterflyCount 2025 yesterday. Recorded the gatekeeper, meadow brown, lots of speckled woods, the large white and a single ringlet.
Last @savebutterflies.bsky.social #BigButterflyCount of 2025, this one in the Coton allotments π¦
Last #BigButterflyCount for 2025 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White and a new visitor for this year in the #wildlifegarden a single Painted Lady
#ukbutterflies
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Thank you for hosting the #BigButterflyCount we look forward to it every year. Our highlight was the Red Admiral resting on Mr B's arm and the Comma sunning itself on our glasshouse π¦
Brimstone Butterfly on my last Big Butterfly Count of the year on the Butterfly Trail at Haldon Forest - on my two hour walk I saw 11 species of butterfly in my 15 minute count 5 species 4 of which were on the count! #butterfly #butterflyconservation #bigbutterflycount #insects
The orangey rustic red of a Peacock butterfly with four large eyespots resting on the contrasting mauve pink flowers of Common Heather
Having been away for a few days where the #BigButterflyCount does not count I managed a last count this morning on the Ogden Water Local Nature Reserve, Halifax. Including this perfect Peacock resting on Common Heather alongside a rocky hill path between woodland and the rough edge of a golf course
Over 100,000 of you got out for the Big Butterfly Count over the past 3 weeks - that's enough to pack out Wembley!
Thank you for contributing vital data that will help us to protect butterflies and moths for generations to come. π
Let us know what your favourite #BigButterflyCount moment has been.
Our teatime Big Butterfly Count included two Peacock butterflies feeding on the purple flowers of Buddleia in the border. These red insects have the characteristic bright eye spots on their wing tips, which give them their name.
A teatime #BigButterflyCount included two Peacock...
Red admiral butterfly showing its open red and black wings, white dots on the tips. On a sunny buddleia (sp?) leaf.
Red admiral, peacock, tortoiseshell, comma, holly blue and white butterflies in garden today. All going in the #BigButterflyCount π@savebutterflies.bsky.social
Just did the #BigButterflyCount (for some reason Bluesky won't let me share my count). I counted 14 including this beauty.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social π¦
Holly blue on hemp agrimony
Gatekeeper on marjoram
Speckled wood on ivy leaf
White butterfly on water mint
Last day of the #bigbutterflycount
and itβs sunny and warm.
A Holly Blue on Hemp Agrimony, Gatekeeper on Marjoram, Speckled Wood on the ivy and Large White on Water Mint.
Happy that they like the #wildflowers Iβve planted or allowed to grow.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#wildgardening
A female Common Blue laying in the garden this morning among the Bird'sfoot Trefoil and Clover which covers our front 'lawn'.....
#BigButterflyCount @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Last day of the UK's Big Butterfly Count so we are out recording the butterflies. This image shows a browny-orange butterfly with a wing tip black circle with white dots inside that. The Meadow Brown is nectaring on the purple flowers of Buddleia.
It is the final day of the UK's Big Butterfly Count, so we are out recording the butterflies. This image shows a small, pale blue butterfly with tiny black spots on its underwings and a black edge to the dusky blue inner wings. The black edging on the inner wings show it is a female Holly Blue. The insect is nectaring on the purple flower of a Scabious.
Last day of #BigButterflyCount ..
Everyone knows that butterflies are sun-worshippers, but can they have too much of a good thing? π
Butterfly Conservation ambassador @ajaytegala.bsky.social reveals their sun protection secrets.
#BigButterflyCount
Summer brood Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on Hemp Agrimony in Suffolk, 2025
Today's the final day of the #BigButterflyCount and a chance to get one more count in. Or more, if you feel like it.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social @bc-suffolk.bsky.social @bc-cambs-essex.bsky.social
Get out on the last day of #BigButterflyCount. Gatekeeper was top of the charts in Norfolk last year will it retain the No1 spot in 2025? bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org
Large White butterfly feeding on a pink flower
Today is the last day to get out for the #BigButterflyCount! Where will you be doing yours?
If you haven't taken part yet, it's not too late. Download the free app or go to π buff.ly/aQjHidK
Spend more time in nature while making a big difference. π
π·: Large White - Gilles San Martin
@thenorfolkcoast not quite the quiet #BigButterflyCount we had anticipated, sitting with a cuppa in the garden. The Silver-washed Fritillary really did not want the Comma in its territory, pushing away until it chased it right off.. @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
We were sat quietly doing a Big Butterfly Count this morning, when a Silver-washed Fritillary flew in to the same flower head as a nectaring Comma. Both of these butterflies are orange coloured with black markings across their wings. The Comma has shaggy-looking wings. Both insects are perched on the purple flower head of a Buddleia What happened next was dramatic as the following two videos will show.
We were sat quietly doing a #BigButterflyCount this morning, when a Silver-washed Fritillary flew in to the same flower head as a nectaring Comma. What happened next was dramatic... @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Each year, Painted Lady butterflies travel 9,000 miles from tropical Africa to the Arctic in up to 10 successive generations. That's a lot of layovers!π§³
There's still time to spot these incredible butterflies in the #BigButterflyCount.
The last weekend of this yearβs #bigbutterflycount π¦
Thatβs still so much time to head out and do one (or multiple) 15-minute counts this weekend!
#savebutterflies #butterflyconservation #devonbutterflyconservation #mothsmatter
